With all that he had done, Alexander knew at some point that he was going to be facing scrutiny.

He expected scrutiny.

What he didn't expect was for it to come this soon.

Time passed and it was already quite a while since the debut of the Creed Chaos System.

March had come, however, Alexander wasn't in quite the celebratory mood.

As a matter of fact, he was worried.

He was rarely this way, so something must really be bothering him.

"Do I really have to go, grandpa?"

"You have to and you need to." Old Sullivan nodded heavily.

"Don't we already have representatives for this kind of stuff?" Alexander reminded. "Have them handle all this trouble for me, why do I need to go?"

"That was that and this is this." Old Sullivan had a reminder as well. "You've done a lot of crazy stuff, so things were eventually going to be this way."

The grandpa then looked at his grandson with consternation. "Do you really not realize the magnitude of what you've done?"

"I've done nothing at all." Alexander wiped his slate clean. He did do things but really didn't want to go... so...

"You doing nothing?" Old Sullivan sighed. "You should tell that to the people that are looking forward to meeting you."

"I'm really not looking forward to meeting them though." This was the truth.

"If you don't go, you'll only make things even more complicated." Old Sullivan sighed.

"You see, Alexander. There are tradition and structure to things and you not being there would only offend that entirely traditional structure." The grandpa warned. "You'll be stepping on a lot of BIG toes and we'll all be in hot water from there. Need I remind you that we're clearly in a precarious situation here and any mishap will result in consequences that none of us will like."

Tsk. Alexander really can't squirm his way out of this one.

He really thought that his grandfather would cut him some slack with the success of the Chaos units.

However, it would seem that the popularity of said Chaos units had caught the attention of certain parties.

More than anything, these specific circumstances seemed to have only spurned things to not go the way he hoped it to.

No matter how hard he tries to slow down the inevitable, it will get him eventually. It is inevitable for a reason.

The worst-case scenario that Alexander imagined himself to be in... was looming close.

There was a lot he could've done differently and whatnot. Still, things seems to be set in place and everything was out of his hand.

Alexander didn't want to admit it... but all he could do now is to dress for the occasion.

A form-fitting black suit should do the trick.

-----

Of course, Alexander really can't be blamed for his reluctance and attempts to bail on the invitation.

After all, where they were going was not going to be so kind to someone like him.

Under the watchful eyes of the whole nation... judgment of the United Kingdom... close watch of the Soviet Union... analysis of Asia with Japan, China, and the like...

Suffice to say, most of the world would probably be watching...

Hence, the pressure on Alexander was extremely heavy.

Things were clearly not in his favor and he just hopes that his many tricks will allow him to go survive the night without trouble.

Then again, he was only going to some silly Hollywood awards event, so he might just be overthinking things.

Of course, he may be a nominee but there are plenty of topic-worthy stars that will be attending.

It was scrutiny and popularity he feared but it was something that these actors, directors, and other writers want to chew up.

If they hog the spotlight as they are expected to be doing, he'll most likely just go unnoticed and his obscurity would stay the way he likes it.

Then again, the silly Hollywood award that he'll be going on just happens to be the 58th Academy Awards.

So it might not be as easy as he wants things to be.

Clearly, things weren't going the way he wants them to be... so he wasn't ruling off the worst-case scenario for him.

His feared worst-case scenario would no doubt be when the truth of his identity would finally be out in the open.

-----

In any case, the 58th Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), was going to take place on March 24, 1986.

Hollywood elites from executives to celebrities, media coverage from publications and paparazzi, and even fans flocked to the Los Angeles' Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Alexander and Old Sullivan were included in that flock and as soon as they arrived at the venue... the whole red carpet was as red as can be.

Of course, with it being the red carpet... the whole vanity fair practices of Hollywood were held right on top and around it.

Actors in their suits walked...

Actresses in their special dresses strutted...

Fans oogled and paparazzi haggled...

All the while, the cameras recorded and the flashes flashed...

It was grand, regal, and lively, to say the least.

Alexander, however, didn't like it one bit.

Where there's an abundance of vanity, scrutiny is plentiful as well.

It may be an exaggeration but just a portion of that scrutiny coming his way was bad.

Which was why he was really starting to loathe these red carpets some more... along with the high-profile stuff being done on them.

To be inconspicuous and not stand out was his goal.

But that's kind of hard to do when you're the only kid that's treading the scarlet textile.

The pressure only seems to compound when it's your first outing to the Oscar.

Then again, Alexander might not be the only one with such sentiments.

Not far from their way, was another kid, who happens to be a girl, who happens to have the name...

"Angelina." Jon Voight introduced.

"Hi, nice to meet you." An entertainment reporter asked. "How are you?"

The girl was quiet. Perhaps shy.

The reporter could only turn to the dad for help. "So is this kind of a family affair for you tonight?"

"Yes, it seems to be." Jon Voight answered. "Yes."

The reporter quickly turned her attention to the girl again. "Now is this your first academy award?"

"Yeah." At least, she had an answer this time.

Being given a response, the reported smiled and praised. "That's a gorgeous dress."

Being praised, the girl had a response as well. "Thank you."

"Are you nervous for your dad tonight?" The reporter asked again and the girl answered. "Sort of."

Alexander couldn't be bothered to hear the next sequence after that since he had already walked by.

Then again, it was interesting to officially see something that you've only watched as a Youtube clip before.

In a Madonna-inspired white lace dress, little Angelina Voight must have tagged along with his nominated dad. Making it, her first time with this year's Oscars as well.

Alexander didn't particularly care for sharing the experience with the future most beautiful woman in the world.

What mattered to him was the fact that there was actually another kid to share the scrutiny in this place.

So yeah... he was somewhat feeling a lot better now.

It didn't take long for this alleviated mood of his to become ambivalent again though.

Because... as it turns out... there was also another kid for Alexader to share the scrutiny with.

It also happens to be another girl.

Unlike Angelina, this girl just happens to know him... in a way.

"Prince... char... ming..." The other girl called out with mischief.

Of course, who else could it be?!